23 of Pa.’s best water parks: the must-see splash zones and boardwalks at our state’s amusement parks

As appeared on PennLive by Sean Adams on July 11, 2019. 

Want to cool off this summer? This list of water parks ought to come in handy.

Pennsylvania has a lot of amusement parks, and a good number of them also include water slides, tube rides and even hydro-coasters along with carousels, Ferris wheels and the usual, non-splashy roller coasters.

Some of Pennsylvania’s amusement parks are even dedicated entirely to water-based entertainment. And while they’re perfect to visit during the summer, some are even indoors to allow for year-round splash-filled fun.

Take a look at our list and check out all of your water park options, near and far!

Sandcastle Waterpark

100 Sandcastle Drive, Pittsburgh

In a city famous for its rivers, a Pittsburgh-based water park makes a lot of sense. Sandcastle Waterpark is located along the Monongahela, and first opened in 1989. The 15 rides include a wave pool, a lazy river attraction and two children’s play areas. Hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays through Fridays and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays through Aug. 20, with changes to the hours after Labor Day. Click here to get the full schedule and other details.

 

Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park

8091 Peach Street, Erie

This indoor water park in Erie includes nine water slides, a lazy river, and according to their publicity, the largest wave pool in the eastern United States. There are also non-water attractions like laser tag, bowling and an arcade. Visitors can get day passes or spring for the vacation and resort packages – get more info on admission and hours by clicking here.

 

H20ooohh! Water Park

428 Moseywood Road, Lake Harmony

Another indoor water park, H20ooohh! (that’s one zero, three o’s, two h’s and an exclamation point) Water Park is part of the Split Rock Resort in the Pocono Mountains. There are a total of 53,326 square feet of water attractions, including a wave pool, activity pool, and slides – body slides, tube slides and raft slides, for people who really want to maximize their slide options. Ticket options vary depending on whether you’re staying at the resort or just stopping by for the park: click here for ticket info.

 

Aquatopia and Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark

193 Resort Drive and 309 Resort Drive, Tannersville

Two more indoor water parks in the Pocono Mountains region are Aquatopia and Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark, which are within walking distance of one another and both connected to the Camelback Resort.

Aquatopia is an indoor water park with 13 slides, from tubes to body slides, mat slides, bowl slides and aqua launch capsule slides. At Camelbeach, guests can enjoy body and tube slides, river challenges, a wave pool, water races, a lazy river and children’s water areas. If you’re having trouble telling the two attractions apart, why not visit both? There are package deals and discounts available – click here to get more info on the ticket info and accommodations.

 

Carousel Water & Fun Park

1018 Beach Lake Highway (Route 652), Beach Lake

Yet another water park in the Pocono Mountains region, Carousel Water & Fun Park is geared towards smaller family-friendly activities and attractions. There are water slides, a wading pool, kiddie pool and bumper boats. Where else can you climb in a giant frog’s mouth, or slide down a giant shoe house? There are also go-karts and mini-golf for those who have had enough water for one day. The park is open daily from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Get details here.

 

Waldameer & Water World

220 Peninsula Drive, Erie

Waldameer Park hosts more than 100 rides and attractions, including those at the attached Water World. Guests can cool off in a giant wave pool, an endless river ride, a heated relaxing pool, and numerous slides, both for individual riders and for tubes. Water World is open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily through the end of August.

 

Idlewild and SoakZone

2574 US-30, Ligonier

This park in the Pittsburgh region is two attractions in one, but the SoakZone attractions include a lazy river, water slides, children’s splash areas, the Wowabunga Wave Pool and even more water slides – specifically, the kind where you can try to race your friends to the finish. SoakZone operates from 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through Aug. 18, and then only on weekends until Sept. 2. Get ticket info here.

 

Great Wolf Lodge

1 Great Wolf Drive, Scotrun

Another Pocono Mountains park, the Great Wolf Lodge is a constant 84 degrees within the indoor water park area, with slides, a water coaster, activity pools and zero-depth water playgrounds. But just a heads up – even though this park is open year-round, it is only open to guests who stay at the lodge. Click here for info on reservations.

 

Cranberry Township Community Waterpark

450 North Boundary Park Drive, Cranberry Township

This township waterpark is a community pool and then some. There is a massive water slide, a giant dump bucket and water wall, and a splash area for younger children. And it is open to both township residents and visitors. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Admission for non-residents is $12, $10 for children 12 and under and additional special rates for twilight admission, seniors and lap swimming. Get the details here.

 

Montage Mountain Water Park

1000 Montage Mountain Road, Scranton

This water park is found in Scranton and features a pool, lazy river, slides, thrill rides for older guests and a play area for the younger ones. The venue also features adult swim nights, as well as musical acts, fitness programs and a running series. Hours are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily throughout the summer. Click here to check it out.

 

Dutch Springs

4733 Hanoverville Road, Bethlehem

The Dutch Springs Aquapark is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Labor Day. In addition to water slides and rides on the water, guests can also enjoy activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling, as well as watercraft rental. Information on ticket prices can be found here.

 

Sesame Place

100 Sesame Road, Langhorne

Unsurprisingly, the Sesame Place water park is designed around young children. There are multiple water slides for individuals and groups on tubes, plus a lazy river and a splash castle. There is also a Teeny Tiny Wave Pool, but don’t let the name fool you – the pool is 10,000 square feet, but designed to look as if the visitors have been shrunk.

 

The Boardwalk at Hersheypark

100 Hersheypark Drive, Hershey

Hersheypark’s water park is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Sunday, Aug. 11, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Labor Day. The Boardwalk is included in the admission to the full amusement park. It includes a wave pool, lazy river, kids’ play area and sprayground, and plenty of rides, like the Coal Cracker, Tidal Force and the Coastline Plunge Slides. There’s also the Waterworks. Check the Hersheypark website for ticketing info.

 

Wildwater Kingdom

4000 Dorney Park Road, Allentown

Like Hersheypark, you can only get into the Wildwater Kingdom if you buy a full admission to the Dorney Park amusement park. Its hours vary through the rest of the season, so take a look at them here. It boasts thrill rides, family rides, kids’ rides and adventure rides. It’s about a 1.5-hour drive from Harrisburg.

 

Kalahari Resort, Pocono Manor

250 Kalahari Boulevard, Pocono Manor

Kalahari’s indoor water park is 100,000 square feet, providing areas where guests can bodyboard, surf, slide, float on a lazy river and even enjoy a retractable roof on the nice days. The park is open for guests of the resort on weekdays from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m., and until 10 p.m. on weekends. Day pass guests are welcome starting at 10 a.m. For more info on attending, visit the official website.

 

Duke’s Lagoon

2249 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster

Duke’s Lagoon water play area at Dutch Wonderland has spray nozzles, water jets, tipping cones, a large tipping bucket, and a variety of water slides. There is also a lounging area with palm trees and umbrellas for shade, so that any adults along for the ride can relax, and even cabana rentals. The attraction is open through Labor Day from 10 a.m. until dusk daily. Check out Dutch Wonderland admission prices here.

 

Delgrosso’s Park & Laguna Splash Water Park

4352 E Pleasant Valley Blvd., Tipton

Tipton’s Laguna Splash Waterpark has an Italian theme, so visitors can see Bambini Cove and the Leaning Tower of Pisa, take a dip in Wave Oceano, or get wet with the Roman splash bucket. The park also has five waterslide adventures, and cabana rentals for families. Hours are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily now through Aug. 18, and until 6 p.m. daily until Aug. 25. Hours continue weekends only for the water park until Sept. 8. Check out ticket info here.

 

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park

340 Blackburn Rd, Quarryville

The 63 acre Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Quarryville is a campsite with adjoining Water Zone & Splash Pad. There are swimming pools, hot tubs and a water playground open daily through Sept. 1. Activities are included with park reservations, but there are also visitor and day passes available: click here for info.

 

Wild River Water Park at Lake Raystown Resort

3101 Chipmunk Crossing, Saxton

The Raystown Lake water park has two 380-foot slides, an inner tube ride, a children’s splash area and play pool, and pavilions for families or company picnics. The water park operates until Sept. 2, with hours from noon-6 p.m. until Labor Day. Tickets are available for day passes or season passes – check them out here.

 

Lakemont Park & The Island Waterpark

700 Park Avenue, Altoona

This Altoona waterpark ticket is included in the Ride & Slide admission of Lakemont Park. It includes slides, the water park pool and the Pirate Ship Activity Pool. The park is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and hours vary for the rest of the season but can be found here.